Our Team

Lucy McGinley

Early Childhood Teacher Group A and Wednesday, Educational Leader and Director

Lucy has been working in Montessori Early Childhood settings for over 16 years. She is passionate about connecting with children by discovering their interests and incorporating these throughout the environment. Lucy enjoys time in nature with her family, often collecting natural found items to share with the children, reading, cooking … and eating, and creative activities.

At the MCH Lucy is the Early Childhood Teacher for Group A and Wednesday kindergarten program and the Centre Director.

Lucy also enjoys her role as Educational Leader, mentoring staff and ensuring they are embracing current theories as well as the Montessori method. Having been a parent, committee member and a previous staff member for 8 years, Lucy is involved in all areas of the Infant’s House and Children’s House.

Linda Claxton

Group B Early Childhood Teacher

Linda has been working with children for 25 years. With her husband, Matthew,  she was lucky enough to move to Manly in 2000 and bring up their son and daughter.  They are now proud grandparents.
Linda started her career working as a Family Daycare Educator then moving to a teacher aide while she studied Bachelor in Children’s services, later moving into long daycare and kindergarten teaching. Most recently she has been working as a Co-ordinator supporting Family Daycare Educators to support their business around compliance. Linda is currently completing her Montessori Diploma.
Linda has a real love of the early years, and feels it is a wonderful to see how children develop and grow before they start school. Learning about the world and how to form new connections through play and collaboration with peers; preparing children for school by developing problem-solving, leadership, empathy, and academic readiness. Linda is excited to be on this journey with you and your child.

Fleur Sanderson

Full Time Educator

Fleur is a qualified Early Childhood Educator and has spent the last three years working with children aged 3-6 years in a Montessori Children’s House Classroom. She is very passionate about all aspects of the Montessori Philosophy and finds great joy in guiding children as they discover and develop interests at their own pace. Fleur enjoys nurturing and supporting children to reach their full potential through rich and meaningful experiences and interactions within the classroom community. Fleur is also very passionate about the natural environment and has spent many years working in the environmental field after studying Applied Science at the University of Queensland. When not at work, Fleur enjoys time in nature, bush walking, gardening, yoga, art and craft, music, cooking and spending time with her wonderful family. Fleur is very excited to be joining the Montessori Children’s House Community next year and very much looking forward to meeting all of the children and families.

Junko Papi

Educator Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Junko was born in Japan and graduated with a Teaching degree for Junior High School. She arrived in Australia in 1994. After her daughter was born, she completed a Certificate Ⅲ for Education Support (Teacher Aide). Junko started working for Montessori Children House in August 2019 and has always loved the Montessori philosophy and environment. She has completed studies for her Montessori Certificate. Junko loves nature, food and her family including a chihuahua & guinea pigs!

Junko is the Educator for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday groups.

Sam Lister

Office Manager and Relief Educator

Sam is the Office Manager and the relief Educator for the Infants’ House and Children’s House. She loves connecting with children to provide an atmosphere where they are happy and excited to engage in activities and develop a love of learning. Sam enjoys being part of the children’s games and outdoor activities promoting connectedness and participation in all forms of play.

Sam has 3 beautiful children of her own and saw the benefits of Montessori education early on with the development of her own little ones. It began a Montessori journey in education where she has been both working and involved in the Infants’ House and Children’s House for the past 14 years. Outside of work she enjoys keeping up with her own family and friends, going to the beach, movies, dining out, keeping active and making or participating in creative activities.

Sharon Hardgrave

Infants' House Educator, After Kindy Care Educator and Vacation Care Educator

Sharon Hardgrave is our Infants’ House Educator. Sharon has 4 children and 5 grandchildren, and her Montessori journey began when her children attended the Brisbane Montessori School. Sharon has been teaching Montessori for 16 years and holds her Advanced Certificate in 0-3 and 3-6 and a Montessori 0-3 Diploma. Sharon has worked in a number of Montessori schools as an Educational Leader, Assistant Director, and Infant community coordinator.

Sharon is passionate about passing onto children not only skills for their development but also for, empathy, caring for others, self-worth, patience. She values what the children have to say and acknowledges how they are feeling.

Sharon started in Term 3 2022, and along with her guitar has enriched our music and art offering to the children.

Melody Watkin

Infants' House Assistant

Melody has been within the Children’s and Infants’ House community now for 9 years, with her three children (one boy and two girls, 5, 7 and 9) having attended both! Each year she has shared her Irish culture by celebrating St Patrick’s Day with the children and her Scottish husband, St Andrew’s Day. Melody has lived in Brisbane now for 13 years. Prior to this she lived in the Pacific Islands and Mexico. 

Melody’s background qualifications and experience are in Wildlife Conservation and Creative Writing which has allowed her a wonderfully diverse career.

Melody is so looking forward to getting to know the children and families of the Infants’ House and sharing her experience of raising her beautiful family.